If you have an iPod, you know the hassle of storing your earbuds. Well, the Web site X-tremegeek.com has a product that solves this problem once and for all. It's called the iRoll Earphone Cord Manager. It's hard to describe how it works, but let me assure you it does. It's made out of a rubbery material and comes in blue and pink. The pictures help explain it better. (The first picture shows the device open and the second picture shows it closed). It's less than $10.

When the weather outside is frightful, a nice, hot bowl of homemade soup can be quite delightful. For many, soup is considered the ultimate comfort food, especially during the cold winter months. Whether served as the main course or as an appetizer, soup is a hearty, nutritious, low-cost dish that is sure to satisfy.

Editor's note: Like most things these days, our intrepid tips columnist Tim Thompson is trying to do more with less. Unfortunately, that means he has less time to test and write about tips. Rather than stop the column entirely, he's scaling back his tips to just one or two a week.

When a new puppy or kitten "marks a spot" in your house, it's important to get the smell out. One of the best ways to do this is to apply vinegar. Just make sure to test the vinegar on a small, hidden area first to make sure that it won't harm your carpet or wood finish.

The region that is North Georgia today was explored a long time ago. As early as the 1540s, Spanish explorers trekked through the Cartersville area looking for gold. None was found there, but we have a golden treasure that's well worth preserving: our native trees.